Forces ‘making do’ in Afghanistan

A coroner has told an inquest into the death of a decorated soldier that he was anxious that the British Armed Forces were “making do” with limited protection in Afghanistan.

Captain David Hicks, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, suffered shrapnel wounds during an attack at a base “with limited protection” north east of Sangin, in Helmand Province, on August 11, 2007.

British forces in Afghanistan shouldn’t have to ‘make do’ says coroner

Protective walls surrounding the Inkerman base were too low, there was no doctor on site and some soldiers slept under makeshift netting, the inquest heard.

Capt Hicks removed his oxygen mask and shouted “Let me get back out there” as medics tried to treat the open chest wound he suffered during the Taliban rocket attack.

The 26-year-old, from Wokingham, Berkshire, was flown by Chinook helicopter to a medical facility at Camp Bastion for treatment but did not survive. He was posthumously awarded the Military Cross for his bravery.

Before recording a verdict of unlawful killing, Wiltshire Coroner David Masters told the inquest at Trowbridge Town Hall: “I don’t think making do is a an acceptable proposition for our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan – I’m very anxious about that.”

The Inkerman base was originally opened as an Afghan National Army base in May 2007, but was expanded to include 80 British troops in July that year.

Describing the base as having “limited protection” in the summing-up of his evidence, the coroner said: “The accommodation given to C Company is in Afghan mud premises, but the fire group had to make do – they had netting over the walls and that was their accommodation. That gave no protection.”

But the coroner later said that since Capt Hicks’ death, improvements had been made, so he did not need to make recommendations to the Government.

“There’s been improved protection by increasing the Hesco barriers and a doctor is now in place. I have a responsibility to make recommendations, but because of the changes I do not consider in this particular inquest I need to make any specific report.”